Monument record 2023/0/21 - Possible medieval earthworks, Sywell

Series of earthworks including a possible hollow way and fishponds

{1} T. C. Welsh describes an earthwork in field north of Chapel Lane, opposite ‘Old Rectory’ Garden, possibly extending south of lane into ‘Old Rectory’ Garden. Comprises a low bank fronted by a berm (or possibly a levelled ditch and counterscarp bank). May be part of a round or oval enclosure the western continuation of which may now be lost.

Old road or trackway, possibly a former south continuation of Holcot Road, on the crest of the west side on the valley west of Sywell village. It is not one of the tracks/holloways described in the Royal Commission Inventory for Sywell. It is 4–5m wide, part cut into, part built out from slope.

Medieval fishponds, one on the valley floor cut into valley side with part of a dam and other details, one cut into slope above, together with building platform, possibly fish curing house.

A shallow ditch north of the gardens of ‘The Old Schoolhouse’ and several features beyond this. While they may indicate house plots, one possibility is also that they are the mutilated remains of an earlier manor house site.
A possible motte or other defensive promontory site, the main defence being a scarp close to the boundary of the Old Rectory garden, which is up to 2m high and topped by a low bank. There is scarping north and south. The site is ill defined and altered by later agricultual activity.
A possible pond site cut into east side of valley, and a possible dam for another downstream

<4> Welsh, T., 2002, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN102176.

<5> Welsh T.C., 2002, Earthworks and Ponds, Sywell, Northampton, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN102177.

Record last edited

Apr 26 2024 11:06AM